At the request of House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee leadership, trade association Associated Equipment Distributors submitted its infrastructure-related policy priorities as the panel develops both public works-focused bills and begins reauthorization of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, the most recent highway bill.

In its submission, the Association focused on policies that directly impact AED members’ primary product markets and cost-of-doing business, including:

• Increasing revenue to ensure the federal highway program’s long-term solvency
• Investing in other infrastructure projects, including pipes, water systems, airports, dams and levees
• Developing a skilled workforce for the construction equipment industry as part of infrastructure investment legislation
• Providing relief for equipment service trucks from burdensome hours-of-service regulations
• Limiting the expansion of Buy America requirements

The House Committee’s request for stakeholder input is a strong indication that the panel is working diligently to produce infrastructure-related legislation in the coming months.

Infrastructure legislation is widely regarded as one area where Congress and the administration can work productively in a bipartisan manner. In fact, President Trump is scheduled to meet with House and Senate Democratic leadership next week to discuss the issue.

AED encourages its members to join the association for its Washington Fly-In on June 11-13, giving them the opportunity to discuss with Congressional members the importance of infrastructure investment, addressing the skills gap, resolving trade uncertainty and providing regulatory relief to job creators.